Certificate, Certification, or Both?

There is no superior program type - just the right program.

Although the terms sound similar, professional or personnel certification programs and assessment-based certificate programs serve different purposes. Their distinctions are important to understand when creating your program or programs.

I.C.E. has the tools to determine the right program type for your organization and candidates. Evaluate your program's goals, purpose, assessment, and maintenance requirements and identify the correct program path to meet your needs.

Access resources to learn more

Document: Defining Features of
Quality Certification and
Assessment-Based Certificate Programs

Webinar (free for I.C.E. members):
Certification Program vs.
Certificate Program Bundle

Certificate vs. Certification: What's the Difference?

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Assessment-based Certificate Program	Professional or Personnel Certification Program
PURPOSE: Build capacity and recognition of a specialty area of practice or set of skills	PURPOSE: Recognize professionals who meet established knowledge, skills, or competencies
Provides instruction and training (non-degree granting)	Assesses knowledge, skills, and/or competencies previously acquired
Goal is for participants to acquire specific knowledge, skills, and/or competencies	Goal is to validate the participant's competency through a conformity assessment system
Assessment is used to evaluate mastery of the intended learning outcomes; linked directly to the learning event	Assessment is best used to assure baseline competencies and to differentiate professionals; independent of a specific learning event
Assessment content may be narrower in scope	Assessment content is usually broad in scope
Awards a certificate to recognize mastery of the specific learning outcomes; it is NOT a certificate of attendance or participation, which is awarded to individuals who have attended or participated in a course or training program but did not have to demonstrate mastery of the intended learning outcomes	Awards designations to recognize achievement
To earn accreditation, complies with the ICE 1100 Standard and follows the ACAP application procedures	To earn accreditation, complies with the NCCA Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs and follows the NCCA application procedures